Chapter 35: The Assassination of Emperor Liao (Part 1)

  Gao Yao Shi was originally worried that he would be drawn into the political struggle. With their endurance, if they were involved in the Liao Dynasty's political struggle, it would be a small pawn that could be destroyed at any time. After hearing Ouyang Yi say that they didn't need to worry about things on land, he finally felt relieved and asked: "What are those little ones going to do..."

  Ouyang Shidao said, "You go and do a few things for me. First, within half a year, recruit coastal fishermen, each expanding the number of people to around two hundred. The treatment of new recruits is as stipulated, and I will personally arrange for supplies of money and grain."

  Cao Xiaocai said: "This is not difficult."

  Ouyang Shidao said, "Isn't it difficult? Is it really not difficult? What I want is not the weak and disabled, nor are they thieves who don't listen to orders! I will stay here for a few more days, and I will tell you in detail how to select people. The matter of selecting people, rather than being sloppy, if I find out that you have been eating empty salaries, huh!"

  Cao Xiaocai hastily said: "I don't dare."

  Ouyang Yi said, "After I leave, Liu Qi will contact you. Half a year later, I'll send someone to help train the hundreds of people under your command. The person I send is an expert and knows military tactics. On land, the two of you can't defeat one of them in battle! But at sea, they're not as good as you. So, I'll arrange for them to be your deputies, and you can discuss together how to train these hundreds of people. As for naval matters, the two of you will still be in charge. Don't worry that I'm using them to take away your power."

  Gao Yao Shi said: "Yes."

  Ouyang Yi continued: "The second thing I want you to do is to get familiar with the sea route of Bohai (North Sea). I know that Gao Yao Shi, you are very familiar with this area's sea route, but your ship has not gone out for a long time. Those islands and coastal official cities must have changed, it's likely that you still need to put in some effort to get clear."

  Gao Yao Shi said: "Young master is right."

  Ouyang Yi continued, "Once you've figured out the situation on each island, these 400 people will probably be trained. At that time, we can start clearing out the pirates in the area of Chenzhou and Suzhou."

  "Drive out the pirates? This... we're not even government troops, why should we drive out the pirates?"

  Ouyang Shi coldly smiled and said: "Are you afraid?"

  Cao Xiaocai said: "It's not fear, it's just unjustified."

  Ouyang Shidao said, "As for the matters near Beihai, I still know about them. In recent years, there haven't been any major pirates lurking around. Sweeping away a few small pirate groups, what's the need for a grand military campaign? However, you should also be careful in your actions and try not to disturb the officials of both Liao and Song dynasties. But now the Liao people are busy with their own affairs, and the Song court is corrupt and incompetent, I'm afraid they won't have the energy to bother with you either. You should first take care of the first two matters before we talk about anything else. During this time, if I have a chance, I'll come visit again."

  After handing over the two of them, Ouyang Yi kept Liu Qi behind and asked him in detail about the situation in Liao State, and also asked about the situation in Huining.

  Liu Qi said: "After we received the news, we have already entrusted someone to inform the Han Department. I'm sure General Yang and his men must know by now."

  Ouyang Yi nodded and said, "Although the Liao people's eastern expedition this time is grand in scale, as long as the Jin army responds appropriately, coupled with the internal chaos in Liao Jing, it will likely be able to win. If the Great Jin wins another big battle, it will be even harder for Liao Guo to stop our march southward. The only question is when we can reach Chen Zhou and Su Zhou..."

  Ouyang Xiu looked north at the time, and the place he was thinking of was filled with wolf smoke everywhere.

  The imperial edict issued by Emperor Yelü Yanxi of Liao reached the Jurchen people, and the Jin people were worried when they heard that a large army was approaching. After all, this was a personal campaign by the emperor, and the number of one million soldiers was also a daunting figure. Abaoji knew about it and gathered the people of Huining State and the heads of various tribes, saying: "It seems that the Liao people are serious this time. When we first rebelled against Liao, it was to fight for a way out for everyone! I didn't expect the Liao people to be so determined! Now that the emperor is leading the army in person, he not only wants to exterminate my Jurchen tribe but also won't spare those who depend on us! There are two options before us: first, kill me and surrender to the emperor, maybe he will let you go; second, follow me to fight to the death! Either Liao will be destroyed or Jin will perish!"

  Zong Han and others shouted together: "The Liao master has already said 'the Jurchen have committed a crime, the great army will eliminate them'. At this time, even if you surrender, the Liao master will not forgive! Only by following our master can you have a way to survive!"

  Each tribe and department saw the Liao master's edict, also knew that the retreat was cut off. Even some newly attached Khitan army and Bohai army also eliminated the wavering heart. The Jin army and civilians were unprecedentedly united. Abaoji led all the elite soldiers in the country, with more than 20,000 people, to come and meet the enemy.

  The Liao and Jin armies blocked the border, and Ou Yang's men could not pass through for a while. The news from the north and south was cut off. After Cao Guangyi's vanguard scouts returned to report on the Liao army's sharpness, Zhe Yan rushed to say in the military meeting: "The Liao army has come with many elite soldiers this time, which is different from the previous garrisoning of border civilians."

  Zong Hando said: "If our army advances further forward, it will go beyond the national border and lose its geographical advantage. It is better to deepen the trenches and build high walls to wait for the Liao people."

  Yang Kaiyuan led two thousand workers, and according to the terrain, they dug trenches and built fortifications. The arrangements were already in place when Liu Qi's messenger arrived. It turned out that he did not dare to pass through the Liao army's strong territory, but instead took a big detour, so he was late.

  Aguo heard that Yelü Changnu rebelled, and summoned the generals to say: "The foundation of Liao has changed, and the hearts of the Liao army will surely be unstable. It's just that this news came too late, I don't know what changes have taken place in these days!"

  Zong Wandao said: "We can order our elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack, capture some Liao officers and interrogate them under torture. We will then know the truth."

  Before he could finish, a captive was brought forward from the front. It turned out that Xiao Tienu had led a surprise attack on the Liao army's western flank, burning their supply lines and capturing their grain officer. He had learned that the Liao emperor's chariot had already returned south several days ago, and knowing that this matter was of great importance, he sent someone to escort the grain officer to headquarters. Zonghan carefully interrogated him, cross-referencing the information with what Liu Qi had reported, and confirmed that it was not a false report. He then reported back to Abaoji: "There is a change in the Khitan rear. The Liao emperor has again turned his chariot around on the battlefield, and the army's morale must be unstable. This is a heaven-sent opportunity, and we cannot miss it."

  All the generals also requested to fight, and Abaoji ordered a pursuit.

  At this time, Yang Yingqi was also in the army. Before the army moved, he came to see Zhe Yan Chong, dismissed his entourage and asked: "Big brother, what do you think about the outcome of this battle?"

  "If the intelligence is true, victory is in sight. The Tao of heaven and earth will be on our side, and the Liao army will lose four out of five battles. As long as we don't make a big mistake, we shouldn't suffer defeat."

  Yang Yingqi said: "If our army wins a great victory in this war, what will Liao State do?"

  "Let's see if it's a crushing defeat or just a small one."

  "What's the difference between a crushing defeat and a minor setback?"

  Zhe Yan Chong looked south and pondered for a moment, he knew that Yang Yingji must have his own plan in mind. At this time, it was better to ask him than to inquire about his opinion, so he said: "If we suffer a small defeat, the Liao army can still hold out with our army in the Huanglongfu area. If we are defeated, I'm afraid the Eastern Capital will no longer be owned by the Liao people."

  Yang Yingqi heard this and also looked southward, saying: "As for the battlefield, big brother will do his best! The rear I will take care of myself."